Erik is a baseball fan who has been attending baseball games and snagging baseballs regularly since 2008.

6-13-09 PNC Park

I had been in a slump over the past two days, botching or missing opportunities on 9 balls. Usually, when players go into slumps, they break out of it in a big way. That’s what happened to me today.

I was the first one into the bleacher area. I was looking for Easter Eggs, but couldn’t find any. Just then, I noticed a ball roll into foul territory and up against the fence near the handicapped seats in foul territory.

As I got to the spot, I noticed a ball in this somewhat creepy hallway. I quickly grabbed ball #1, caught a glimpse of something at the end of the hallway, and made my way to the field area to grab the ball that originally brought me into foul ground.

Someone had left this utility fence open, After a few fly balls, he turned and flipped a ball, no-look style, into the crowd. Most of the people around didn’t see it at first. I did, and grabbed ball #10. Double digits. Ballpark domination.

I caught ball #11 on one of Van Slyke’s over hit fly balls. I had to stand up on a bleacher to catch the ball. I had tied my pe
rsonal record.

Then, some d-bag came and said, “Alright, you’ve got your share. I’m going to shut you down. I need one for my son. See Jimmy, I’ve got him boxed out.” I just stared at the guy. He was some 5’7″ guy wearing a yellow Pirates shirt, and he didn’t even have a glove. I stared right at him. He had no chance against me. I’m 6’5″.

His son kept screaming, “Give me the ball!” I was hoping he wouldn’t get one.

Soon, Van Slyke over hit another ball. I didn’t have to move much, and caught the ball once again, with the assistance of standing on the bleacher, for ball #12.

I made sure to rub the ball up and carefully inspect it in front of the d-bag that was going to “shut me down.” He just looked and then moved around me to the other side that I had just caught the ball.

His son then got a ball from Joel Zumaya. It was an International League ball, a minor league ball. The kid started whining and complaining.

I stayed in this area for almost the entire batting practice. A few minutes later, Zumaya started trying to rob home runs. Van Slyke over hit another one. I was right there, catching ball #13 on the fly. At this point I could hear people around me whispering, “How many is that for that guy?”

Zumaya and Jackson took their home run robbing act a bit over into left field and away from the 410 sign near the bullpen, where I had just snagged those 4 balls. I was going to follow them, but it was insanely crowded.Seriously, I’ve never seen a batting practice this crowded at PNC Park.Not even on opening day was it this crowded during batting practice. I’m used to having an entire row open to my left and right, so I can have some range. There would be none of that today.Batting practice ended a few minutes later. I tried to get balls during the game, but it wasn’t happening.

There was a near sell out crowd. Over 31,000 were in attendance.

The left field bleachers were packed.The center field and right field seats were packed.Heck, the whole stadium was packed.Which is something we’re not used to here in Pittsburgh.I left after the 5th inning to get some dessert for my wife and I.

3 Comments

Hey 13 is a really great day.
I was at this game, I got 3 balls, you might have seen me at gates before they opened, I was wearin’ a white Pirates t-shirt, and in the bleachers when I switched into my white Tigers shirt.

Erik, congratulations on now holding the snagging record at PNC Park! (as far as you know). After reading about the guy that tried to sabotage your continued streak, I chuckled a bit, being 6’5″ myself and always having the “little man syndrome” guy stand next to me, trying to prevent me from further “domination.” I truly hate that too my friend. If you push yourself, I believe #500 could definitely be reached this season brotha! Good luck!

13 wow thats great I was at the game it was an awesome game I always look for you when I go and I finally saw you there were so many people there though I got one ball from Sean Burnett and I almost got a 2nd from him but it was just out of my reach smashed my knuckle and made me bleed I felt like an idiot
Jim Dhttp://dominytime.mlblogs.com/

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